Matching music to Pirates' action, in digital age

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

August 27, 2013 12:40 AM

AUG. 24-25 - In this Aug. 8, 2013 photo, Tim DeBacco, public address announcer, (left) and Ken Javorski, audio engineer work behind the scenes to deliver music and announcements during the Pirates home game against the Miami Marlins at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. At PNC Park, the organ music is all prerecorded, and there's less than there used to be. The evolution of ballpark music here and throughout the major leagues reflects broad shifts in technology and American culture. (AP Photo/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Julia Rendleman)POST-GAZETTE

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

August 27, 2013 12:40 AM

PITTSBURGH -- With a runner on first, the Pirates infielders and audio engineer were ready for a double play. The Bucs converted, and that was Mic Connolly's cue to blare "Double Vision" by Foreigner throughout PNC Park.

People staffing the in-game entertainment room sit 101 feet above the field. But they were also closely tuned in, prepared to match music to game situations using a computer, audio editor and other tools.

They played everything from Jewish folk classic "Hava Nagila" to the pop hit "Tik Tok." Baseball music has come a long way since the organ.

At PNC Park, the organ music is all prerecorded, and there's less than there used to be. The evolution of ballpark music here and throughout the major leagues reflects broad shifts in technology and American culture.

Since the 1860s, there has been live music at baseball games. In those days, bands provided the entertainment, according to Tim Wiles, director of research at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. As parks grew in size, "the concept of having a live band playing at a ballpark made less and less sense," since musical groups would have to move around to be heard by fans in different sections.

The development of the public address system changed that. The former New York Giants were the first Major League Baseball team to install a PA system, in 1929. In 1941, Wrigley Field became the first major league park to feature live organ music, according to Wiles.

Organ music is just one of a larger set of options now at ballpark entertainers' disposal. With videos on Jumbotrons and between-inning contests, the organ is sometimes drowned out, even in stadiums that still have live organists.

In Pittsburgh, the legend of Vince Lascheid lives on.

"Fans, it's time for the seventh-inning stretch. We invite you now to stand, join legendary Pirates organist Vince Lascheid, and follow the bouncing Eat'n Park Smiley Cookie, as we sing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame.'''

That announcement still precedes the song, even though the Lascheid is no longer there to perform it.

In July 1970, Lascheid debuted alongside the new Three Rivers Stadium, the first time live organ was used at Pirates games.

Lascheid was the Pirates organist almost continuously until his death in 2009, according to his daughter, Mindy Lascheid-McKee.

To this day, his music reverberates throughout PNC Park. When Lascheid became ill with Alzheimer's, his music was recorded on off-days.

These recordings, in combination with recorded game performances from 2001, serve as the basis for most organ music now played at PNC Park.